Common
name: "Pencil Cactus" or "Milk
Bush"
Latin name: Euphorbia tirucalli
Native
to: Tropical South and East Africa.
Growth habit: A woody, columnar upright bush. This
plant can grow as tall as it's interior environment allows.
Flowers: No
Temps: Normal indoor temps
Humidity: Not critical. Pests: Watch for mealy
bug or scale.
Lighting:
Pictured
Houseplant:
10" Pencil Cactus
Cultural
information: "Pencil Cactus" are a bizarre
looking plant who's sap is poisonous. See our poisonous
plant list for more information.
"Pencil Cactus" are quite easy to grow if placed in
direct sunshine or very bright indirect light. Water sparingly
maybe twice a month... allowing most of the soil mass to dry out.
Feed bi-monthly but don't feed the plant if the soil is extremely
dry... the soil needs to be a little moist before fertilizing.
When your plant becomes to tall, cut it back to the desired
height. Wear gloves and a long sleeve shirt when pruning
"Pencil Cactus". The sap may cause skin irritation. Be
careful not to get the sap in your eyes.
"Pencil Cactus" are available in 6" pots thru
large specimen plants.
